How Many Allotments In Your Area

[fletcher49]

Hello Everyone

Our local council (I will not name them) have only 77 plots for a population of 93,000 people (37,000 households). This equates to 0.8 plots per 1000 head of population or 2 plots per 1000 households. The NSALG suggest a national standard of 20 plots per 1000 households so we are well below that. Also national average provision is given as 7 plots per 1000 head of population, so we are also well below that measure.

Does any body else's council have worse provision than this. Any figures regarding allotment provision / local population might be helpful in trying to get our council to improve our situation.

[Snadger]

I think that until recently it has been very hard to fill allotment plots nationally, but it is now seen as very 'cool' to have one. Allotments, which used to be a way for the unemployed and low wage earners to supplement their income by growing their own produce are now being utilised by a new breed of allotmenteer.
Although I have no statistics to back up my theory, I think that there are more middle and upper class plot holders who want to feed their family on good, organic, home produced produce.(And rightly so!)
Councils haven't taken acccount of this and have in some cases been caught with their trousers down!

[allotmentlady]

we have about 130 plots in our town and councils are supposed to provide 15 ploys per every 1000 household.

[bluemoon]

I think that until recently it has been very hard to fill allotment plots nationally, but it is now seen as very 'cool' to have one. Allotments, which used to be a way for the unemployed and low wage earners to supplement their income by growing their own produce are now being utilised by a new breed of allotmenteer.
Although I have no statistics to back up my theory, I think that there are more middle and upper class plot holders who want to feed their family on good, organic, home produced produce.(And rightly so!)
Councils haven't taken acccount of this and have in some cases been caught with their trousers down!

I agree wholeheartedly with Snadger. There also seems to be a reluctance for councils to provide more sites in case this is just a fad. Having spent several years with some sites having less than 30% occupancy I can understand that they don't want to find themselves in a similar position five years from now. If they start new sites then their situation would be even worse. There seems to be a bit of a 'wait and see' attitude at the moment. You also have to accept that councils used to budgeting minimal funding to allotments are being caught on the hop. I'm not saying this is right, just that for now that's the way the situation is. Perhaps the way forward is to start a few non-statutory sites which can be easily closed if enthusiasm wanes, or made statutory at a later date if it doesn't.

[allotmentlady]

200 plus on our waiting list and I have badgered the council for 4 years!! We are finally acquired land for 30 more plots and they are now making a concerted effort to find more land.

[bubblewrap]

Borough of Charnwood(Loughborough area)

Charnwood Borough Council - Parks and Open Spaces - Allotments

[Stacey Steve]

I don't know precisiely how many plots there are in Milton Keynes and they are no longer run by the main council but now come under the responsibility of the town and parish councils.

However in the MK area we have 45 sites. My site has about 150 10 pole plots but I know there are some smaller sites around.

I have also noted on the plans for the new building areas around the area that there is provision for new sites, so we seem to be lucky around here.

Mind you on the whole I feel lucky to be living and part of Milton Keynes. I know we have been the butt of many jokes but I have now lived here for over 20 years and I love the place. It has a really good mix of open spaces to the housing estates and access to true countryside is so easy, the landscaping is truely great.

[bubblewrap]

Borough of Charnwood(Loughborough area)

Charnwood Borough Council - Parks and Open Spaces - Allotments

PS My Lottie is on Meadow Avenue 5 minutes walk from my home.

[Couperman]

Our council has over 900 plots for a population of around 140,000.

There are currently 47 vacant plots admittedly in slightly rough areas and I suspect they suffer from a few problems on the vandalism front.

We waited about 5-6 months for ours on a really nice site 5 mins walk from home, we are not allowed sheds mind, but otherwise spot on.

[selfheal]

our village/parish has just created its first allotment site. 28 plots although its split up to 38 plots with some halfs.

So i guess we are lucky -aparently its 28 plots to 1,050 residents. Theres just over 700 houses but atleast 50 are holiday homes.

28 plots for 700 households... not a bad ratio i must admit!

[fentiger]

i am sorry to say that the allotment that we are on has LOADS of spaces on it.there are only about five people on it and we would love to have more people but when they see the allotment i think they are put off as i was nearly. the weeds are up to waist height and we do suffer with crouch grass and horsetail and RABBITS we have no xtras like eg water electricity and no roadway although they said we would get one last year.we live in wisbech cambidgeshire and it would be nice to have somemore allotmenteers to speck to.

[allotmentlady]

got an update 345 on list..

[greendean]

hi in borough of hyndburn which incorperates a few towns incl accrington lists 498 plots dotted about the borough. the population in approx 80,000. 160 people for every plot i think

the heys site which i am on is the largest 128 plots
recently they have got to work to increase number of plots by creating new ones from uncultivated areas, making two smaller more managable plots from larger plots.

there seems to be quite a good initiative to get the waiting lists down and create a better relationship with plot holders.

i can imagine many long time allotment holders have seen the comings and goings of grow your own 'fads' and may resent 'new folk' coming on then quickly getting fed up because it is really hard work to run an allotment and not quite hugh fearnly-whittingstall.

but everyone should have an oppertunity to have a go! I dont think this is a 'fad' people are stuggling to make ends meet and want a better life for their families

hope it works out in the end. as many posts testify keep plugging away, make some noise


http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa...ders_guide.pdf

[ixi1456]

Bury has 130 allotments for a population of 60,718 and a 9 year waiting list

[glasgowdan]

My council is one of only 3 in scotland (and the only urbanised council region) that has NONE at all and no definite plans for one either.